The fourth ODI between India and New Zealand will be played today at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. India lead the five match series 2-0 going into the game and the visitors will want to win another game and extend their advantage while New Zealand will look to come back home with a win in front of their fans.
The match has been in the news because both sides have made changes to their playing combinations ahead of the Test series. Shreyas Iyer is captaining India without regular skipper Shubman Gill.
NZ vs IND 4th ODI: Match Details
The fourth ODI is being played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The match started at 7:30 AM IST with the toss taking place at 7:00 AM IST.
India won the toss and elected to bowl first. Captain Shreyas Iyer said the pitch looked fairly dry and that his team wanted to take the opportunity to chase it down.
Bay Oval Pitch Report
The Bay Oval pitch generally has good pace and bounce which makes it an interesting surface for fast bowlers. Seamers can be helped with the new ball in the first overs.
However batters can also benefit once they are settled at the crease. The pitch may get easier to stroke with each over of the innings and the outfield presents boundaries.
The dry look of the pitch could also bring spinners into play as the game goes on but movement and bounce are expected to make the new ball period vital for both sides.
India chose to bowl first so presumably they want to see what the conditions are like before going out and running in.
Mount Maunganui Weather Report
Weather conditions are expected to be better than in the previous matches of the series (rain affected them).
Partly cloudy with a temperature ranging from 12 to 22 degrees Celsius were the forecast for today’s match. With less chance of rain we can hope for an uninterrupted 50-over game.
India Playing XI
India have shuffled their combination with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav in the confirmed XI.
India: Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand Playing XI
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner also announced six changes to his playing combination.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain) Kristian Clarke Kyle Jamieson Matt Henry Matthew Fisher.
India Aim to Seal the ODI Series
India go into the fourth ODI 2-0 up having won the first two matches. The third ODI in Hamilton was abandoned due to rain and New Zealand now have two opportunities left to level the series.
With experienced players missing from both sides due to Test preparations, the fourth ODI presents an opportunity for several players to stake their claim.
India will rely on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s experience; New Zealand will have to rely on their reshuffled batting order and Mitchell Santner’s leadership.
The contest at Bay Oval could be crucial for both teams as India look to seal the series and New Zealand battle to keep the competition alive.
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